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The opening of the NJIT @ NEST Center for Translational Research lab signals a milestone for the university and the Northeast Science and Technology in Kenilworth.

The former Merck headquarters, now NEST, announced the on-campus debut of its first academic partner April 23.

The 25,000-square-foot space now supports four professors and 26 STEM students from New Jersey Institute of Technology. The state-of-the-art hub provides lab space for a mix of post-graduate and undergraduate students researching photonics, biomaterials, environmental science and sustainable technologies.

According to NEST, student work includes:

• Developing novel imaging and photoresponsive materials to study pathological processes
• Creating polymeric systems for drug delivery and gene therapy
• Innovating chemical recycling strategies for consumer plastics
• Investigating water–particulate interactions that govern the fate of contaminants to design sustainable solutions for global environmental challenges

NJIT President Teik Lim said researchers and students will explore the cutting-edge fields on campus. “And the NJIT @ NEST Center for Translational Research will expand upon our track record of translating fundamental research into products and services that benefit humanity while also expanding New Jersey’s economy and strengthening its technological workforce,” Lim added.

The added NEST location in Kenilworth is just about 10 miles from NJIT’s Newark campus, offering proximity and convenience to enhance collaboration.

Lim said the teams’ moves out of the city has allowed the NJIT environmental research program to expand its on-campus environmental systems modeling, water and wastewater treatment, site remediation, and environmental impact analysis studies in Newark.

NEST is purpose-built and zoned for life sciences innovation. The more than 100-acre campus offers turnkey and customizable office, lab and biomanufacturing space.

Situated at 2000 Galloping Hill Road, the 1.2 million-square-foot campus comprises nine buildings. Onyx Equities, Machine Investment Group and Pivot Real Estate Partners acquired the property in 2023. Merck moved off campus to consolidate its headquarters in Rahway. Since then, NEST has secured a number of high-profile partners for its roster, including Revlon and CoreWeave. NJIT signed on for 15 NEST in December 2024.

Last year, the property began a multimillion-dollar renovation to add 75,000 square feet of amenity and common space.

Onyx Equities Senior Vice President of Asset Management Matt Flath said, “Our site allows [students] incredible access to the researchers and organizations that are already at the NEST Center, and those who will join in the months and years to come.”